Residence permits based on marriage in Georgia starting September 1, 2026: New rules and the path to permanent residency

As of September 1, 2026, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Georgia for foreigners married to Georgian citizens has changed completely.

Previously, the spouse of a Georgian citizen could immediately apply for a permanent residence permit. That option is no longer available.

Instead, a separate type of permit has been introduced—the residence permit for the spouse of a Georgian citizen. Obtaining permanent residency has become a phased process lasting five years. At the same time, the government has introduced a special verification process to determine whether the marriage is genuine.

Let’s break down in simple terms how to obtain a residence permit through marriage in Georgia now and what spouses need to keep in mind.

How it used to be

Until September 1, 2026, the foreign spouse of a Georgian citizen was classified as a person who could apply directly for permanent residency.

The mere fact of marriage, of course, did not mean automatic approval of the application, but it was not required to first spend several years with a temporary residence permit.

As of September 1, this system has been abolished.

How to obtain a residence permit through marriage after September 1, 2026

A new category has been introduced into the law: “Residence Permit for the Spouse of a Georgian Citizen”.

The terms are now as follows:

• first residence permit — 1 year;
• subsequent renewal — up to 2 years;
• subsequent renewal — up to another 2 years;
• maximum total duration of residence under this type of residence permit — 5 years.

Thus, in practice, the process may look like this: 1 year → 2 years → 2 years → eligibility for permanent residence.

After five years of residence in Georgia, based specifically on the residence permit of the spouse of a Georgian citizen and provided the marriage remains intact, the foreign spouse becomes eligible to apply for permanent residence in accordance with the procedure established by law.

Important: Permanent residence does not become “automatic” after five years. Eligibility to obtain it arises, after which the relevant application and documents must be submitted.

How long does it take to process a residence permit based on marriage

A separate processing period has been established for new residence permits: up to 90 calendar days. This is significantly longer than the standard processing time for most residence permit applications, which is up to 30 days after a complete set of documents has been submitted.

The reason is clear: the procedure now includes a separate verification of the marriage’s authenticity.

What documents are required

To obtain a residence permit as the spouse of a Georgian citizen, you must submit the following to the Agency for the Development of Public Services:

• an application;
• a copy of the foreign national’s passport or other travel document;
• a document confirming the foreigner’s legal stay in Georgia;
• a document confirming marriage to a Georgian citizen;
• proof of the foreigner’s and/or the Georgian spouse’s legal income;
• a digital photograph;
• proof of payment for the government service.

Thus, a marriage certificate alone is now clearly insufficient.

Income must be verified

Another important requirement is the existence of legal income. The following sources of legal income may be taken into account:

• the foreign national’s own income;
• the income of a spouse who is a Georgian citizen;
• or their combined income.

If the Georgian citizen has reached retirement age or receives social assistance, this can also be confirmed with the appropriate documents.

Can I show money in a bank account instead of income?

Yes.

Instead of proof of regular income, the amount held in the foreign national’s personal bank account may be considered. However, there is a specific rule here. There must be sufficient funds to cover the entire duration of the residence permit being issued, calculated as at least 2 × the average consumer subsistence minimum × the number of months of the residence permit.

For example, since the first residence permit is issued for one year, the required amount is calculated for 12 months.

The law does not specify a fixed amount in lari—it depends on the official average consumer subsistence minimum.

Marriages will now be reviewed

This is perhaps the most significant practical change. A special interagency commission is being established to review applications.

It consists of six members:

• two representatives from the Agency for the Development of Public Services;
• two representatives from the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs;
• two representatives from the Georgian State Security Service (SSS).

The commission’s task is to determine whether the spouses have genuinely formed a family or whether the marriage was registered solely to enable the foreign national to obtain a right of residence in Georgia.

Spouses may be summoned for an interview

The commission has the right to invite spouses to an interview.

The interview may take place:

• jointly;
• separately with each spouse;
• again, if the commission deems it necessary.

Spouses may be asked to provide explanations and present evidence of the authenticity of their marital relationship.

This means that when submitting an application, you should now be prepared not only to present a marriage certificate but also, if necessary, to confirm that the marital relationship actually exists.

An important detail regarding interview notifications

The rules stipulate that an interview notification may be published on the Agency’s website, and it is considered served as of the date of publication.

Therefore, after submitting your application, it is advisable to closely monitor the progress of your case and any communications from the Agency.

The commission may visit your home

The review is not limited to documents and interviews.

The Commission has the right to verify information regarding the spouses’ actual place of residence.

To do so, its representatives may:

• visit the address;
• inspect the residence;
• document circumstances relevant to determining the authenticity of the marital relationship;
• interview relevant individuals.

At least two commission representatives from at least two different agencies must participate in the on-site inspection.

A report is prepared based on the results. If necessary, photographs, videos, and other evidence may be attached to it.

Can you refuse an interview or a home inspection?

In fact, this is extremely risky. The law explicitly requires spouses to cooperate with the commission.

The following may serve as grounds for denying a residence permit:

• failure to appear for an interview;
• refusal to provide explanations;
• failure to provide requested evidence;
• refusal to allow commission representatives to inspect the place of residence;
• any other refusal to cooperate.

Therefore, you must not ignore the commission’s requests during the review of a marriage-based residence permit application.

What happens if the commission suspects a sham marriage

If the commission concludes that there are sufficient grounds to suspect that the marriage is a sham, the case goes beyond the scope of the standard immigration procedure.

The case materials are forwarded:

• to the appropriate investigative authority;
• a copy—to the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office.

If an investigation is initiated, consideration of the application for a residence permit is suspended until criminal proceedings begin or the investigation is closed.

Criminal liability for sham marriages has been introduced

It is important to clarify the date here. Criminal liability for sham marriages was introduced not on September 1, but on July 1, 2026.

A new Article 344³ has been added to the Criminal Code.

In this context, a sham marriage is defined as the registration or maintenance of a marriage between a Georgian citizen and a foreign national for the purpose of the foreign national obtaining:

• Georgian citizenship;
• a residence permit;
• or another legal basis for staying in the country.

The following penalties apply for such a violation:

• expulsion of the foreign national from Georgia with a ban on re-entry for a period of 2 to 10 years;
• a fine;
• house arrest for a period of 1 to 2 years;
• imprisonment for a term of up to 2 years.

Thus, a sham marriage is now considered not merely as grounds for denying a residence permit, but as a criminal offense in its own right.

For sham marriages that existed prior to July 1, 2026, the legislature has provided a transitional exception: no liability will apply if such a marriage is dissolved or declared invalid by October 1, 2026.

What will happen to applications submitted before September 1

An important exception applies to these applications. The Government Resolution explicitly states: Applications submitted before the new rules take effect must be processed under the previous procedure.

In other words, applications submitted before September 1, 2026 are not automatically transferred to the new five-year system. In this context, it is the date of application submission that matters, not the date of marriage registration.

For example, if a foreign national married a Georgian citizen in 2025 but applies for a residence permit for the first time after September 1, 2026, the new procedure will already apply to them.

What has changed in a nutshell

Prior to September 1, the spouse of a Georgian citizen could immediately apply for permanent residence. Now the process is different: marriage → 1-year residence permit → 2-year extension → another 2 years → permanent residence after 5 years.

At the same time, the following have been introduced:

• mandatory proof of legal residence;
• requirements regarding income or funds in a bank account;
• a processing period of up to 90 days;
• interagency verification of the marriage;
• an interview with the spouses;
• the possibility of verifying the place of residence;
• criminal liability for a sham marriage.

Essentially, Georgia is shifting from a model of “register a marriage—obtain grounds for permanent residence” to a system in which the state can monitor, over the course of several years, whether the grounds for a residence permit remain valid and verify the authenticity of the marital relationship.

What to do if you’re currently applying for a residence permit based on marriage

If the application is submitted after September 1, 2026, you should prepare more than just the standard set of documents in advance.

We recommend checking the following:

1. Is there documentary evidence of the foreign national’s legal stay in Georgia?
2. Can the foreign national’s or spouse’s legal income be verified?
3. If a bank account is used, are there sufficient funds in it to cover the duration of the residence permit?
4. Is the actual residential address listed correctly?
5. Does the information in the documents match the actual situation?
6. Is it possible, if necessary, to confirm the actual family relationships?

In addition, after submitting the documents, you must monitor notifications from the Agency and not ignore any potential summons from the commission.

Frequently asked questions

Help from Espero

If you are married to a Georgian citizen and plan to obtain or renew a residence permit, Espero can help you verify the grounds for your application, prepare the necessary documents, confirm that you meet the income requirements, and explain the new application process.

The new rules take effect on September 1, 2026, so it is important to take the updated requirements into account when preparing your application.

Official sources

• Amendments to the Georgian Law “On the Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons.”
• Georgian Government Decree No. 416 of August 26, 2026—changes to the rules for issuing residence permits.
• Georgian Government Resolution No. 417 of August 26, 2026—procedures for the interdepartmental commission.
• Amendments to the Criminal Code of Georgia—liability for sham marriages.